Lecture 21: Male Gonadal Disorders Flashcards
Describe the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in males. (HPG)
- Hypothalamus secretes GnRH to stimulate anterior pituitary every 2 hours (pulsatile)
- Anterior pituitary releases FSH and LH
- FSH stimulates Sertoli cells in testes to regulate spermatogenesis and produce inhibin B
- Inhibin B provides negative feedback to stop FSH.
- LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
- Testosterone provides negative feedback to stop LH, but assists FSH in spermatogenesis.
FSH = for sperm hormone
What does LH allow the uptake of in Leydig cells?
Cholesterol, which is converted to testosterone.
What is testosterone converted to? Where?
It is converted to either DHT or estradiol.
Majority of the conversion occurs in the peripheral tissues.
What are the additional functions of testosterone?
- Sexual health
- Mood (increased aggression, decreased depression)
- Improve cognition/memory
Where is the majority of testosterone produced?
Testicles.
5% in adrenal glands.
What is 98% of testosterone bound to?
60%: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
38%: Albumin
SHBG has a higher binding affinity.
What is the remaining 2% of unbound testosterone for?
Physiologically active.
What is unique about albumin-bound testosterone?
It can dissociate readily in capillaries.
Where is testosterone metabolized/excreted?
Metabolized in the liver.
Excreted via the kidneys.
What two processes begin to ramp up to initiate puberty?
- Adrenarche in the zona reticularis to produce androgens (6-8y)
- Gonadarche (Activation of HPG axis, around 9y)
How do we stage male puberty development?
Tanner stages, beginning at 1 and ending at 5.
What are the first signs of male puberty?
- Growth of testes
- Pubic/axillary hair growth
How do we measure testicle size clinically? What qualifies as adult size?
Prader orchidometer, with 12-25 mL being adult size.
If we do not have a prader orchidometer at hand, what else can suggest that a male has entered puberty?
Testicular size > 2.5cm longitudinally.
What qualifies as precocious puberty?
Evidence of puberty in boys prior to the age of 9.
What are the two types of precocious puberty?
- Isosexual: premature development of phenotypically appropriate secondary sexual characteristics.
- Heterosexual: Development of secondary sexual characteristics of the opposite sex.
What are the two subtypes of isosexual precocity?
- Gonadotropin-dependent (Central precocious puberty)
- Gonadotropin-independent (Peripheral precocious puberty)
What is the pathophysiology behind central precocious puberty? (CPP)
CPP is caused by a PREmature activation fo the GnRH pulse generator, causing inappropriately elevated GnRH levels.
What is the pathophysiology behind peripheral precocious puberty?
Androgens from the testes or adrenal glands are increased, but gonadotropin levels are low.
What is the MC of CPP?
Idiopathic
What is the MC of peripheral precocious puberty?
CAH
What is the 2nd likely etiology for CPP and what might suggest it?
CNS lesions.
- History red flags: HA, seizures, N/V, memory/vision changes, loss of balance, etc.
- PE red flag: abnormal neuro exam
- Imaging: Abnormal MRI brain w/ contrast
What two tumors can cause peripheral precocious puberty?
- hCG tumor
- Androgen secreting tumor in the zona reticularis
What two enzyme deficiencies in CAH typically lead to precocious puberty?
- 21-hydroxylase
- 11-hydroxylase
What syndrome more common in females can lead to peripheral precocious puberty in males? How?
McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)
A mutation in the activation of adenylyl cyclase results in testosterone production.
What triad of findings suggests McCune Albright?
- Bone dysplasia
- Cafe-au-lait skin pigmentation
- Precocious puberty
What autosomal dominant disorder can lead to peripheral precocious puberty?
Familial male-limited precocious puberty, which results in LH activation errors, causing testosterone synthesis.
What simple and exogenous way can males enter precocious puberty?
Exogenous androgen exposure like testosterone cream.
What historical findings are important to know for suspected puberty issues?
- Onset
- Progression
- Assess CNS disease
- Exposures
- Family history of puberty onsets/conditions
If a patient presents with enlarged testes, what are the more likely etiologies?
- CPP
- hCG tumor (mild)
If a patient presents with small testes but precocious puberty, what are the more likely etiologies?
- Adrenal etiologies
- Familial male precocious puberty
- Exogenous androgens
What finding could suggest testicular tumor?
Asymmetry or unilateral testicular enlargement
What imaging should be ordered for suspected precocious puberty?
Left wrist and hand XRAY to assess bone age.
What is being assessed in an XRAY of the left hand and wrist?
- Linear growth
- Skeletal maturation/bone age
What are the two lab tests we should order for initial evaluation of suspected precocious puberty? Expected results?
- Serum testosterone: elevated in all types.
- Serum LH/FSH: only elevated in CPP.
What secondary lab tests would be elevated in precocious puberty? What etiologies are they linked to?
- Serum hCG elevated in hCG tumor
- DHEA elevated in CAH or adrenal tumor
- 17a-hydroxyprogesterone elevated in CAH
What test can we run to differentiate CPP from peripheral? What result indicates CPP?
GnRH analogue (Leuprolide) stimulation test.
Rise in LH when administered indicates CPP.
What genetic testing would we run for precocious puberty?
LH/GS-alpha subunit mutation test if we suspect McCune Albright.
After we get our XRAY, what other imaging modalities might we use for evaluating precocious puberty? What do they rule out?
- MRI brain: r/o CNS lesion with CPP or if theres elevated hCG.
- CT Chest/Abd: r/o hCG tumor or adrenal tumors.
- Testicular US: r/o Leydig-cell tumors
How do we treat CPP?
- Treat underlying cause (if tumor)
- Idiopathic requires long-acting GnRH agonists.
Describe the MOA of a long-acting GnRH agonist.
Initially, LH/FSH secretion will increase.
However, long-term use will result in densensitization of the receptors, reducing them to prepubertal levels. (Takes about 2 weeks to do so)
What are the effects of long-acting GnRH agonists?
- Halts early pubertal development
- Delay bone maturation
- Prevent early epiphyseal closure, increasing final height.
How is leuprolide administered?
Depot injections every 1, 3, or 6 months
What is the alternative to leuprolide?
Histrelin SQ implant annually.
How do we treat peripheral precocious puberty?
- Tumor excision
- Removal of exogenous steroids
- Glucocorticoids to suppress CAH
How do we treat McCune Albright syndrome and Familial male-limited precocious puberty?
Combination of androgen receptor antagonists (spironolactone) with aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole) to prevent the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.
Alternative: steroid synthesis inhibitor (ketoconazole)